6,000 reasons to act... each one has a name and story

WORLD AIDS DAY
1 December 2008

Today, like every day, 6,000 children around the world will lose a parent because of AIDS, the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

This December World Vision, Willow Creek and Fuller Youth Institute are partnering to raise awareness of the epidemic that is AIDS.

Willow Creek have produced some free resources for church leaders: video and info pack!

World Vision offer lots of ways to be involved:

PRAY > LEARN MORE > ADVOCATE > SPONSOR > CARE

World Vision even have a Pastors Toolkit, a Carers Kit and resources for college Students also... The Pastors Toolkit gives you statistics, talking points, videos, bulletin outlines, bible studies, guest speak contacts, PowerPoint presentation and ways to mobilize and equip your congregation.

“look after orphans and widows in their distress”
(James 1:27a).

Indigenous Prayer Group

AIM Prayer Points August 2008

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9

NORTHERN TERRITORY

1. Darwin Rhonda Coats Elizabeth Ham

Praise : Rhonda’s recent trip to many centres has enabled her to leave literature with the believers and encourage them to press on. She travelled in safety with no car trouble. Elizabeth has been able to continue her work at the Belyuen school and her pastoral care of many, Rejoice with us for the many, many years Elizabeth has worked in AIM and all the lives touched by her. She retires in December.

Pray for: Rhonda as she continues to encourage those she visited, prepares the AIM magazine; that she will know the Lord’s peace and assurance as currently some of her family in USA are undergoing serious health/personal issues and it is hard for her to be so far away. Elizabeth as she seeks God’s guidance as to how to use her retirement years, how to relinquish her current ministries, what new areas of ministry might open up.

2. Katherine : Greg and Debbie Piper and church leaders

Praise : the consistent leadership among the Indigenous people, especially Lisa, Noel and David; the church’s team work in the outreach ministry at the Gorge on some Sunday evenings; the faithful few at Barunga who keep walking straight, especially Anita.

Pray for: Greg and Debbie as they seek to train current and potential leaders; for the church members to be shining lights among their own families and community; more men to come into the church.

3. Borroloola Max and Doris Field and church leaders

Praise : Strong leadership of Vincent Charlie and his gifts in personal evangelism; Warren Timothy as he also leads; Miriam as she takes the Sunday School, Max and Doris as they quietly and wisely encourage the church folk.

Pray : Warren’s wife Joelene has asked for prayer that she will not be disruptive to Warren on Sunday mornings as he prepares to lead church. She recognises that satan is attacking her in this area and she wants to overcome it; opportunities to reach the young people.

4.Elliott /Marlinja Harold and Kaye Dalywaters Raymond and Thelma Dixon

Praise : these two families press on in spite of loneliness. They give a godly witness in their communities. They run Sunday School faithfully each week.

Pray for : their children to walk with the Lord and make wise choices about their futures; Harold and Raymond have many dreams for their communities and for their own ministries in them. They need God’s direction as to the best way to use their gifts in this work. They need to be encouraged to keep pressing on when they meet opposition from wider family.

5.Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies

Praise : The faithful Christians in the community; the opportunities to relate to the children who have a warm relationship with Richard and Sue; the blessing of Christian teachers leading the school programme. Pray for : good health for Richard and Sue; more men to join the church; those who have wandered away to come back in repentance, contact with families through children; the after school programme ;Ben and Suse Hollands as they lead the team of teachers at Canteen Creek.( While in Epenarra, we met an Education Dept Rep. who had just been to assess the Year 11 and 12 students at Canteen Creek School and met Ben and Suse for the first time. She was amazed at their commitment and achievements! We praise God for their testimony.)

6. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield, Wesley Ruth William Haydon

Praise : Rodney is leading the church services and teaching from the Word; Andrew and Cindy are quietly relating to the church folk and within the community, seeking to encourage the Christians to grow strong; the children are settled and happy

Pray for : Rodney and Derek to be strong for the Lord and grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus; for the Christians in the town not to be tempted by the gambling, drinking and fighting which is prevalent at the moment; the ladies teaching Sunday School to see children impacted; a godly witness in the community be all the Christians; for Cindy as she juggles the enormous pressure of schooling the two eldest and doing all the other tasks which fall to wife and mother, thus having little time for herself; Andrew as he seeks to help meet the family needs as well as ministry.

7. Tennant Creek Ruth and Eugen, church leaders

Praise: the government grant to buy a new bus has come through and the generosity of the church in passing the old bus on cheaply to Alice Springs; Ruth and Eugen are safely home from their trip to Canada to meet their first grandchild; the enthusiasm of the Men’s and Ladies’ Bible study groups as they share and interact each week.

Pray for :spiritual strength for the leaders. The men are growing older and the ranks are being depleted. New men need to be trained to lead. Many are suffering poor health due to cold weather, especially Phyllis Driver who has gone to Alice Springs to commence a kidney dialysis programme. She will be lonely; for Ruth as she grieves the loss of her father.

8. Alice Springs Margaret and Greg Duke Sharon Jude

Praise : Some local folk are helping with a simple Sunday morning service for a few folk; the imminent provision of a bus as the current one has died.

Pray for : the team of workers needed. Hospital visiting and pastoral care alone is a full time ministry with many coming from AIM centres elsewhere. Wisdom regarding possible workers for 2009; the family (especially his wife Mary) of Wally Long, one of the regular attenders, who died last week after a long period of poor health. Many folk in Alice Springs will miss him.

That's a RAP...

Radical Answer to Prayer

I have unfortunatley been feeling a little disconnected from the course material at college. It has really disapointed me that this is the case... stuff seems to go in but hasn't seemed to change or excite or grab me! I think that is sad.

I have been praying that God would transform my heart and mind to be humble and more like a sponge, to soak up the goodness and that there would be some cross over between the stuff I am learning and with serving his people.

God has been super gracious:

1. A girl from my old church emailed me yesterday asking:
   how do you explain to a non-believer about the differences between old and new testament? how do you explain why Jesus changes things, however, there still are some universal values that are kept? I need a crash course...
   
   
2. At church tonight I was asked
   what did you get up to on the weekend: I spent saturday morning having breakfast in a cafe with myself and article.
   
   She asked what article: oh just one on homosexuality...
   
   and can you believe it she was chatting just this week to her gay friend and had thought to herself she really needs to clarify what she thinks about this a little more. So she asked for a copy and we are going to do coffee to chat it over sometime!
   

Praise Jesus for BS 141 (Biblical Theology)

Yet another RSS feed?...

So I subscribe to a number of blogs... Some posts I read, am built up, rebuked, stretched, infored or amused, some I pick up some tricks, some I skim over and some posts I just ignore (sorry to be blunt).

But the latest RSS feed I am subscribing to in my program NetNewsWire is
http://www.persecution.com.au/news/default.asp and it is one you cannot skim or ignore.

It contains the latest news and prayer requests for the Persecuted Church. Thanks to the organisation Voice of the Matyrs.

I was blown away by finding this update online as I was preparing for prayers at church. I was really rebuked by the apathy of myself and fellow believers here in Sydney and our prayer-less-ness.

PRAY and “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3 )
...

Father God,

We pray for the many people who are imprisoned and tortured around the world because of their faith and trust in our great Saviour Jesus Christ.

Enable them not to compromise or loose heart when authorities forbid them to worship you. Strengthen each believer with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Comfort them as they are rejected, ridiculed, and threatened by other religions and even their own families.

Thank you for organizations like Voice of the Martyrs and for their commitment to helping today's persecuted Christians. Lord God, may you grant VOM the grace needed to continue in the work they do amongst families, prisoners, the underground church and in the work of translation printing, and distribution of Bibles and Christian books. Help them to use resources wisely and fairly, as they seek to encourage, support and equip persecuted believers.

Father help us here in Sydney, to remember those in prison and suffering for your name. Thank you for their example and empower us to pray for those of whom we have not met. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and it grieves us to hear of the ways they suffer and it rebukes us to hear of their faithfulness to you in the face of such trials.

Father forgive us for our laziness, our self-centeredness and preoccupation with security. That as we live in our relative ease, safety and freedom help us not to take what we have for granted. We are sorry Father that instead of using all that you have graced us with for Jesus, we use it instead to promote ourselves. Instead of living boldly amongst our friends and family, we seek to please them and ourselves rather than you.

Father we pray all these things so that the glory of your Son Jesus may shine brighter.
May the world know that it is to Him we belong.

In Christs name we pray...
AMEN

AIM PRAYER NOTES for JUNE 2008...

http://www.aimpa.com/

NEW SOUTH WALES
1. AIM Council: John Keane, Arthur Nicolson, Geoff Bartlett, Len Smith, Pierre Thielemans, Kevin Sylvester, Peter Dart, Cliff and Trevor. Field Members of Council: Jono Wright, Richard Davies, Elizabeth Ham, Dennis Tranter.
Praise: For the faithful work of the Council members, their general oversight and prayer support of AIM, and the special interest of those who visit the field from time to time.
Pray for: the meeting planned for 10th June, for wise decisions to be made.

2. Dubbo David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: More new faces, some are bringing others; Sunday-School is a blessing as well as the new teaching time on Tuesday afternoons; new faces at Men’s Breakfasts.
Prayer: Sunday-School children to be converted; men who attend breakfast to come to Sunday services; David and Rose as they lead the ministry team.

3. Moree Paul and Erin Strahan and Grace
Praise: Erin is expecting a new baby in December; good numbers at Kid’s church; more contact with adults.
Pray for: Paul as he prepares to speak at Collarenebri Convention on long weekend; guidance about reaching more teenagers in the time they have available; more like-minded people to share in the ministry.

4. Office Trevor and Pam, Rob and Jenni Alley, Cliff and Sue
Praise: For the financial gifts given to support the ministry; for the prayer support of many for the work of AIM; for the expansion of the team with the planned move of Rob and Jenni Alley and baby Miriam mid year to the office.
Pray for: A support team for the Alleys as they step out trusting God into the full time ministry of Mission Awareness Tours and Administration; for Cliff and Trevor in their various responsibilities; for Pam as she keeps things running smoothly.

5. Gilgandra Max and Tracy Conlon
Praise: For the acceptance of the Conlons; for the response of the young people to Max’s ministry
Pray for: Building of new relationships; more people to come back to the church fellowship.


QUEENSLAND
6. Camooweal Jono and Grace Wright and family
Praise: For cooler weather; visit of Grace’s parents; Grace’s renewed strength
Pray for: Jono and Grace as they go on deputation soon, that it will be rewarding and fruitful; that the Christians in Camooweal will continue to encourage each other in the Wright’s absence; Jono as he leads the studies at the Bible School over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

7. Cherbourg
Praise: That Church leader Sammy Murray has been elected as the Mayor of Cherbourg.
Pray for: Sam Murray and family as they grieve the loss of Doris; more men in the church; the breaking of the cycle of substance abuse among the young people; those who teach RE in the schools. Pray for Sammy Murray and Neil Simpson as they lead the church.

8. Rockhampton Bill and Lesley Power David Chambers
Praise: David is building strong friendships among the young people; growth in interest among those at the Milbi Rehabilitation Farm where meetings are held weekly
Pray for: Church leader Irene Currie, whose husband Alex died recently. The funeral was 23rd May; for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of the Sunday School children, the church council meeting to be held at Inala on 6-8th June.

9. Woorabinda Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: For open doors into the community; for various churches which want to help and support the ministry in Woorabinda
Pray for: The community as it becomes a dry community soon; for Martin as he has been approached by Dept of Communities to assist, especially with troubled youth; Rose as she does RE and helps in Day care.

NORTHERN TERRITORY
10. Darwin Rhonda Coats and Elizabeth Ham
Praise: Rhonda has been able to make an extended trip (about 8 weeks) to various centres with literature and to teach where possible; for the opportunities Elizabeth has in hospital ministry and in the school.
Pray for: Safety for Rhonda as she drives alone, for good openings to share and for people to be around when she visits their centres; for Neremiah, a young car accident victim from B’loola whom Elizabeth has met in Darwin hospital . Her family are very anxious about her.
Pray for: Marion Quinn, teaching at Woolaning Homeland Christian College, who has students from many centres including Belyuen. Each day is a challenge as they prepare students to face the future.

11. Katherine Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise: for the outreach already started at the Gorge and for God’s blessing so far.
Pray for: Continued blessing from the Gorge outreach; for the Lord to strengthen the church council and make them more committed

12. Borroloola Max and Doris Field Vincent Charlie Warren Timothy Miriam
Praise: For growth in Sunday School and Miriam’s faithful teaching; for the quiet confident way in which Shaelene faced her death, trusting in Christ and for the testimony at her funeral service.
Pray for: Shaelene’s young son in the care of family; Gemma who has turned her back o God but had contact with Max and Doris; health of the Fields; reaching out to those who have been baptised and drifted away

13. Elliott Harold and Kay Dalywaters; Raymond and Thelma Dixon at Marlinja
Praise: For Sunday School being run by Harold and Kay and the good number attending; for the faithful witness of the Dalywaters and Dixons in hard places

Pray for: These couples to live as examples in their communities and shine for Jesus in these dark places; for other Christians to be encouraged to reach out in the community.

14. Tennant Creek Richard, Cedric, Jeff , Ruth and Eugen
Praise: Growth in new converts, especially Brian Jakara; ladies and teenagers learning new sewing and tapestry skills; the church folk picking up extra responsibilities
Pray for: Ruth and Eugen as they travel to Canada to meet their new grand daughter, for safety and good health ; for the health of church members who struggle, especially in colder months; for those taking on new rolls in the church outside their comfort zones.

15. Epenarra Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: local ladies have taken over running the Sunday School and doing well; encouraging participation in Ladies’ meeting Tuesday night, men’s meeting Thursday afternoon. Praise for Rodney’s leadership
Pray for: continued growth in understanding among the church people; for Andrew and some men who are going to Elcho Island
3-10th June for dedication of New Testament. Andrew grew up there so will renew acquaintances and introduce the desert men to some Christians from salt water country. Pray for Cindy as she copes at home alone.

16. Canteen Creek Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: For those who stand strong and resist pressure; for opportunities to teach RE at the school

Pray for: Those who made commitments at Easter meetings and now face loneliness as they are cut off from friends and facing temptation; for trusting friendships to grow within the church family; for a Christian teacher to respond to the advertisement placed by the School Principal ( Ben)for an English teacher.

17. Alice Springs Bob and Deb McKerrell
Praise : For the wonderful ministry of Bob and Deb over six months; Bob’s successful nerve block treatment in Brisbane recently for a chronic back problem; for God’s sustaining strength and help to meet each situation; for those who have assisted during the past six months.
Pray for: Bob and Deb as they return to Toowoomba on 9th June; their planned trip to Aurukun with a team of workers to do ministry; for the new short term workers.

SOS - We have just learned Terry and Olga Manton are now unable to go to Alice Springs to carry on the ministry after the McKerrells depart. We have nobody available at such short notice to fill in. Please pray with us about what the Lord wants us to do regarding Alice Springs.

AIM PRAYER NOTES for MAY 2008...

http://www.aimpa.com/

The tourist season is beginning in the north and many centres have visitors arriving. Please pray for our workers as they seek to balance hospitality with their ministry. It can create a lot of pressure.

New South Wales

Gilgandra: Max and Tracey Conlon and son Marley
Praise the safe relocation to Gilgandra and the opportunity for a new ministry
Prayer: settling in and adjusting; Marley as he misses his friends; wisdom in setting priorities in the ministry

Dubbo: David and Rose Cox, Geoff and Ruth Higgins
Praise: There are a steady number of new faces, one man inquiring about baptism.
The Sunday-School continues to be a blessing. The special monthly events held have been a real encouragement with increased numbers attending
Prayer: Wisdom to disciple inquirers, conversion of those showing interest, including the children, guidance concerning the starting of special classes, perhaps catechism.

Office: Leggotts, Letchers, Alleys
Praise: Safe arrival of baby Miriam Alley.
Prayer: Rob and Jenni as they adjust to parenthood and seek to be wise and godly in raising Miriam. Also that they will know God’s guidance concerning their future ministry with AIM.
Praise: Safe travel and valuable interaction with the Mission Awareness Tours recently completed - Cliff to Canteen Creek and Trevor to various centres in Qld, NT and NSW
Prayer: For ongoing impact from these trips among the young people involved and a willingness to serve Christ wherever He leads them in the future; for Cliff as he heads to Kuala Lumpur in mid May to do a training course in teaching Bible Storying in an Oral culture, that he will be able to use these skills within AIM.

Moree: Paul and Erin Strahan
Praise: Blessed school holiday programme for the children; the good way in which the helpers from Sydney fitted in.
Prayer: building on the holiday programme; continued opportunities to make contacts with Indigenous families.

Queensland

Rockhampton: Bill and Lesley Power, David Chambers
Praise for leadership team in the church - Bill, David, Irene, Jandalyn and Lesley; for the eight ladies going to the Women’s convention. For many answered prayers including success of Elsie’s operation and Selly’s visit.
Pray for Bill’s health and David Chambers as he leads the youth; Milbi farm outreach; guidance for the church leaders concerning the way ahead.

Palm Island: Solo and Akanisi
Praise for the opportunity to have a witness on the island; for Christians in various roles within the community to have a godly consistent witness
Prayer: there is a need for a bus to transport people to activities

Camooweal: Jono and Grace Wright
Praise: opportunity to go on outreach from 30th April for two weeks; the impending visit of Grace’s parents from W.A.
Prayer: for strength to cope with the stresses of family life and health issues; for safety on outreach and the children’s health during the trip; for growth in the believers in the various communities as Jono teaches them

Worrabinda: Martin and Rose Ebel
Praise: One local man is coming to church regularly now and seems eager to earn about God; opportunities to share in the community as we participate in various local activities
Prayer: the community is preparing for the alcohol ban to come into effect on July 1st; all churches have suffered constant vandalism which proves very expensive to fix; pray for the youth who are involved in this vandalism; for Martin as he continues to work as a chaplain in the High School; for Rose as she mixes with the ladies seeking to model the love of Christ.


Northern Territory

Tennant Creek: Freudigmanns, Richard, Michael, Cedric, Jeffrey
Praise: Christians have stood firm against attacks from the evil one since Easter; Janet Mick has come back to the Lord; the weekly Bible study groups are well attended; godly and consistent leadership from church Elders, Eugen and Ruth’s faithful servant hearts.
Prayer: General physical health as the weather gets cooler; Rhonda O’Keefe and Annie Jones as they teach an average of 25 children each week in Sunday-School;
Phyllis Ricky and Annie Jones as they learn new patchworking skills, for Ruth as she spends time teaching them and chatting about the Lord as they learn.

Katherine: Greg and Debbie Piper
Praise for the good spiritual health of the church family, Greg and Debbie’s enthusiasm, success of the youth trips to Darwin, the growth of the weekly Bible Study groups
Prayer: The tourist season is beginning and the Sunday afternoon outreach service at the Katherine Gorge will commence from May 11th. Pray for good contacts between the church folk and tourists, for words in season from the church folk and a godly witness.

Darwin: Rhonda Coats, Elizabeth Ham
Praise: A young man recently became a Christian through the gaol ministry of the Community Church; other inmates have been showing interest. Elizabeth has the opportunity each week at Belyeun School tot each the Word of God.
Prayer: Continued growth of the new Christian in gaol and for the conversion of others. Elizabeth needs strength and wisdom as she counsels people around Darwin who have a variety of problems. Rhonda is planning a 4-6 week trip around the centres commencing in early May. Pray for safety in travel, opportunities for good fellowship and to share resources, for good health.

Barunga:
Praise: one Christian took a stand at a recent funeral against ceremony business being mixed up with a Christian funeral.
Prayer: the Christians will continue to grow string spiritually and God will add others to His church.

Alice Springs: Bob and Deb Mckerrell
Praise: for the work completed on the house, and the ministry of Phil and Cathy Stuart and Bob and Joy Wells; for a full time place for Alfred Norman at the Topsy Smith Hostel; Bob and Deb as they faithful care for the flock.
Prayer: Bob as he goes to Brisbane for a nerve block on his back in early May; safety for Debbie as she is there alone; for Terry and Olga Manton as they prepare to come in June for three months; full time workers for 2009; outpouring of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives so that the bondage of sin can be broken and growth occur.

Canteen Creek: Richard and Sue Davies
Praise: the government nutrition programme means each child in the community is receiving breakfast morning tea and lunch at school each day, which has not happened before. The local women are running the programme
Prayer: The breaking of the power of gambling. Some marriages are at breaking point because of it, children are being neglected as the gambling rings are going all night. Richard and Sue will be spending a week at SMBC as Missionaries in residence in early May. Pray for their impact on the students. Pray for healing for Richard’s eye, which has been causing trouble since he got a piece of wood in it.

Borroloola: Max and Doris Field
Praise: Good attendance at the meetings, including more men; some folk asking for bibles; camp meetings recommencing with Vincent Charlie giving a simple clear message;
Prayer: Max has to go to Darwin for scans related to an ongoing problem; continued drunkenness causes fights and constant noise all night. Pray for a conviction of sin among the people. Shaelene who has cancer is growing weaker but hopes to return home from Darwin.

Epenarra: Andrew and Cindy Hadfield and family
Praise: for growth in Rodney who has been a Christian for almost a year; for the visit of the Pastor and his wife from Sydney; for the children’s current good health
Prayer: Christian tentmakers to come to the community as teachers, health workers etc; coping with the pressures of daily like with the family and community demands; health and strength

Tentmakers:
Ben and Suze Hollands at Canteen Creek School;
Tim Letcher at Fitzroy Crossing School;
Becky Mohr at Alice Springs Hospital;
Marion Quinn at Woolaning Homeland Christian College;
David Young at Kalkaringi school.

Pray for these folk who are seeking to serve Christ in their daily jobs and support the Aboriginal church. Pray that their lives will honour God and point others to the Saviour.

March Prayer Update...

PRAISE GOD:

• I am very aware of his kindness to me in the transition into college life. I have found the last few weeks leaving home, moving in, making friends, starting study, leaving Matthias, starting at CBTB, and generally settling in a joy! There are lots of changes and things to get used to but I have to say it’s bee a pleasant few weeks.

• Thank God for people who lift your gaze from yourself to the infiniteness of God and his plans for the world:
  
  ➲ Friday Community Chapel we were challenge to think outside the box of Sydney by some folk from OMF. It was awesome to hear of the growth of God’s church in places like Africa and Asia and the need for people to GO!
  
  ➲ Last night I bumped into Jo (we both taught SRE at North Sydney Dem 2 or so years ago!) and she was great in challenging me to keep Indigenous Australia on the agenda. She knows my story and how the time spent out in Burringurrah Community impacted me and made me realise the urgency of the gospel. So she wanted to remind me of that passion and conviction I used to speak with. She shared with me the many opportunites she is aware of, the need for youth ministry and the lack of workers under the age of 40 out there!
  

PRAY:

• That I would be willing to be more prayerful about the future plans and that I would be open to heading into gospel work amongst Indigenous/Remote Communities. It has never slipped from my radar but in the last 2 years it has definitely become far less a priority and dream. Pray also that I would be prayerfully support the work going on already out there. (So partly why I am blogging about it is so that you will ask me about it and keep me thinking about it!)
  

• That I would wear my glasses and go get my eyes re-tested. I have had a really sore eyes and headaches over the last week. Some days are better than others, but it makes it hard to concentrate in class and studying - as it hurts to think (yep I said it).

• For my friends and that they would meet and love Jesus. Please pray especially for my friend Lisa who came to church the other week! Thank God for our friendship!

Prayer Update

The new term is fast approaching... and more do I realise this is my last term of MTS which means my last run with many ministries - eek!

Pray that I will run hard to the end... pour myself out for the sake of the gospel but also that I will finish well to the 2 years invested in much that goes on at Matthias.

SWITCH

• Thank God for the 6 young women in my group... the encouagement they are with their godly living and the way they wrestle with God's word!


• Please pray that God would strengthen the great relationships they have with each other, caring and looking out for each other.


• Pray also that they will continue to see meeting with God's people as a top priority... so spur on and serve one another, even in and amongst the crap and chaos of life!

DRAMA

• Both Robyn and I are really drained by this activity... all our creative juice went into writing the plays and I think we have just run out of zest! Pray that God would strengthen and sustain us for this hectic term!


• Praise God for the HAIRSPRAY excusion a few Saturdays ago... for the many families that came along and for the great relationship building with Matthias and non-Matthias families at the BBQ Robyn hosted at her place after.... ABSOLUTLEY BRILLIANT!


• Pray for one girl "G" who is in year 6 and seems to have a keen desire to join in with Matthias events, and wants to go to Scripture @ School... Pray that she might find Youth Group for her next year, when in Year 7, as something she would love to go to.

STAFF

• Thanks for time away on STAFF ATTACK up at Copacabana Beach... for time to bond and time to think hard about the way we REACH the lost & EQUIP the saints....


• This is the flow diagram we came up with while we are away... which will hopefully help us think more strategically about what ministries we do well, whats lacking or missing and where we should best use our time as a staff team.

YOUTH

• My year 12's are facing the HSC very very soon... Please pray for Ellen, Chloe, Suzanna, Caitlin and Verity. Pray that they would find time to rest and relax, time to work hard, keep procrastination a bay, work hard and dilegently, and in everything they do, do it for the Glory of Jesus!
• Pray for wisdom for them as they make decisions for the upcoming year.
• Pray for godliness as they enter the 'post-HSC' party scene!
• PRAISE God for the upcoming JAMES Series at 1151... we did massive creative brainstorm session tonight in a meeting and God was kind to give us some really fun ideas to employ... Hope this will get the blood pumping in the Youth and that they would really want to WALK the WALK not just TALK the TALK in the Christian Life!
• Pray that we can think of creative way to package the series!

TAT

• This last term has been great in TAT going through Matthew.... I have found it the most rewarding time in God's word. Praise God for the time I get to prepare and study His word...
• Thank God for the Beatitudes and Chapter 5... found this particularly helpful in thinking about praying for healing...
  
  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "
  
  If we do see healing it is a taste of what is to come and if we don't see healing it makes us long for the kingdom to come.

PERSONAL

• Decisions for NEXT YEAR... pray for wisdom and clairty for all that needs deciding upon!
• Thank God that I am looking forward to what may come next year. Especially getting the opportunity to study at Moore.
• Pray for the interview that will be coming up with a panel from Moore, that it will be an encouraging time!
• Thank God for the way he is continuing to shape me through His word and convict me of sin... May I submit more and more to the love of Christ that it would control me in everything I do from serving, working, relationships with family and friends, my speech, decisions, forgiving, loving, use of my time, priorites... you name it pray that the love of Christ is controlling me in it!
• PRAISE God for the many open doors to sharing the gospel with my mates... they are seeming to interact with it more and more which is exciting... Please pray God continues to use me amongst my friends to bring them under the sound of the gospel!

Thanks for your continued partnership in the gospel!

Pa Pa...

Please pray for my grandfather Doug as he is presently in Royal North Shore Hospital with 'stuff'. Doctors are not too sure what exactly is wrong with him. He has heart problems but doctors don't think that is it... Pray for wisdom to work it out!

Papa with Great-grand-daughter Maisy!

Pray for mercy on Papa, he doesn't know God! I have been praying for many years that God would soften his heart and give him ears to hear the gospel (literally as he is stone deaf with a cochlear ear implant). It is really hard to interact in a proper conversation with him, as he will talk and then get impatient trying to listen to your response.

Papa and I had a emotional time together at the hospital on Saturday night. He was crying about all he has seen in his lifetime. I have never seen him so upset about the things he has seen and experienced. He is normally a very strong, proud and optimistic man. Never would he say a bad word about someone... but Saturday night he couldn't help but say the world is a messed up place and he hopes that I would never see the pain and grief he has seen in his lifetime.

I feel this is God's work to soften and humble his heart. I feel also from the tone and topic of our conversations that he thinks this is the end of the road for him - although he is as strong as an ox, still at 87 and gets through most illnesses.

I am thinking of hand writing him a letter for father's day and address some of the things he mentioned on Saturday night and over the years about why he doesn't believe, and also tell him how thankful to God for him and his witness of what it means to really love your wife sacrificially.

Despite not being a Christian man, he loved Nanny so much, lead, cared, supported, nurtured her till her death. A true model of Christ and his love for the church.

Please pray for wisdom and the words to write - that they would engage with him, not be complicated, but clear and simple. May God use it to change his heart and turn him towards Jesus!

Please pray for Mum as having a ill father to care for adds super stress, and I don't think she copes too well, nor do we (my brothers and I) care for her too well. Pray we would be good kids! ;)

Thanks friends for you prayers!

More than likely Moore...

I went to the Moore College Open Day yesterday...

more and more thinking Moore college is the way to go...

Didn't really answer any questions I had. Partly because I realised I didn't have any questions to ask... but having said that it did confirm some sneaking suspicions I had about the joint and it was good to see around the place, talk about decision making with some people in the same boat as myself, chat with students and faculty staff...

Please be praying for me as I go for interviews with Moore, think through Student Minister positions, plan and budget for the coming years - and rest in the knowledge that whatever I decide to do I will remain safe in God's hands!

August Prayer Points...

Youth

• Death by Chocolate night tonight - fun times to indulge in all things chocolate!!! "This is a taster" night for iGod which starts next week. Pray that friends do come tonight, that we aren't as scary as some people might think and that Marcello will speak well and kids will be keen to come to iGod!
• iGod - starts August 17th.... Pray for the speaker, can't remember who, some dude from somewhere, but hopefully he will be good! Pray for logistics as I don't think we have been told to be doing anything, so hopefully food and setup and stuff is all sorted.
  
• Pray for my year 12 girls - thanks that trials are over but that the HSC is still looming. Pray for their stress levels to lessen and to keep trusting God every step of the way.

Night Train

• 6 Steps to Talking about Jesus - Thanks to the 10 women who signed up who are motivated to develop their skills in sharing Jesus with their friends, family and stangers!
• Creativity - to think up some more practical exercises to do, so that the women can actually have a go at sharing Jesus.
• Good times - sharing lives with these women has been great and the fellowship over God's word is awesome. Thanks for what God is teaching us. Pray that God would continue to transform us all into bold and confident women who delight in the Gospel

Scripture @ Paddo

• 2 girls have left our class... one said because it is 'boring' the other said because 'i don't like it anymore'. This hurts! Doreen and I are trying to work out why two of the most well behaved girls, who contribute and seem to have fun don't like it. Pray that Doreen and I would be more creative with our songs, games, activities, stories and worksheets!
  
• Pray for the kids with behavioural problems, who make teaching difficult and who we give lots of attention when we disciple. Pray that no child would stop another child's interest and that all distractions would stop.
  
• Pray that Art class would not be run at the same time as our lesson.
  
• Praise God that one new girl has started coming - she is really inquisitive and asks great questions.
  
• Praise God for 'D' - we are studying the Kings of Israel at the moment and he was really frustrated last week and asked: "Can you tell me at least one King who listened to God and wasn't so evil - and don't tell me that there were none - cause that really would be that Jesus is the only perfect King" - He gets it! Pray that the seed is ripped away!
  
• Pray for 'T' - as she grapples with the truth that we are all sinful. She is convinced her Auntie is sinless and so was Mary, the Mother of Jesus....

Personal - me, me, me, me, me....

• I have been a little under-the-weather with sinusitis... my nose is slowly drying up! Please pray for continued recovery!
• I also am feeling pretty run down generally and feeling bit exhausted. Pray for renewed energy and enthusiasm and for God's sustaining hand. May he keep reminding me that all I do is in his strength and power!
• Pray for decisions about next year... college interview coming up in a week or so!
• Thanks for friends and the life God has given them and the times I get to celebrate their birthday (Mia, Gina, Nicole & Nicolette) & marriage (Cali & Zach - friends from school)- pray for many gospel opportunites and good times!!!

Thanks friends for praying for me and my ministry... I am very thankful to God for you all who constantly uphold me in prayer. It truly is a great partnership in the Gospel!

The Gospel According to the OC!

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

11 girls turned up on Friday lunch. One of whom was completely new!

It's quite funny as the new girls who think it's really cool that we watch the OC have come late both weeks to the group and so have missed out on the OC viewing bit and just get the Bible study - hopefully they will keep coming! Please pray they do.

I think out of the 11 girls 6 are Christians... so that means there are 5 girls I would really love your prayers for that God would bring them into his kingdom! Please pray for the Christian girls that they would come regularly and make it a priority.

Hannah mentioned to me on Friday that when she was at school the Chaplin would bring hot chips to the group - CHIPS n CHATS... and the smell of the chips got many girls in! So I may try this one week instead of doing a Pizza and Talk like last year.

Please also pray as I try to encourage the year 10 girl that this group needs to continue in years to come and get her on board with taking the group on into 2008 - as I will not be around!!!

Prayer Update - July

Praise God for:

• the birth of my Niece. Liz gave birth to her on the 25th June. I think her name is still to be confirmed but more than likely will be Maisey or Evie! Pray for Toby and Liz as they adjust to the sleeplessness of parenthood and also wisdom to raise her to know and love Jesus!
  
  
• hanging out with Jerry Bridges the other Tuesday - as he spoke in a lounge room with 15 of us, about Perseverance of the saints. He was a great encouragement and loved his 4 G's in Isaiah 8 - GOD, GUILT, GRACE, GRATITUDE... motivation for continuing on in the service of our awesome and holy God!
  
  
• hearing Louie Giglio (from Passion Conf.) speak at the Hillsong Conference. His Indescribable passage really lifted my eyes to the majesty, awesomeness and brilliance of the God who created this universe. He made me look into my heart and reminded me not that I am at the centre of the universe. And he took us back to the wonderous Cross of our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to cleanse us from our unrighteousness, He is truely the centre of the universe. Also being led by Chris Tomlin & Brook Fraser in singing praises with 10, 000 others to this glorious God was a treat as well.
  
  
  The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork - Psalm 19:1.
  
  
• school holidays, which has allowed me to get ahead on preparation - especially "The Gospel According to the OC" series for Randwick Girls. I have about 4 complete studies.
  
  
• the gift of friendship. Thanks for all of you who uphold me in prayer. For my Christian brothers and sisters who continue to point me to Christ, when I am down, flat, sad, tired, miserable or overjoyed, elated and feeling good.
  But also thank God for the friendships I have with people outside the kingdom. Praise God for Lisa and the gift she is to me in my life, for our trip to the Hunter Valley last week and for opportunities to share Christ.
  
  
• the encouragement of seeing maturity and growth in people at Evening Church. It is God's kindness that he continues to transform his people to the likeness of His Son and gives us the joy to marvel at his hand in peoples lives.
  

Please Ask God for:

• smooth running of the Night Train Course I will be running - 6 Steps to Sharing Jesus. Ask for His sustaining hand to strengthen me as this term looks to be a busy one. Please pray that I would be wise with my time, be faithful and diligent in preparation and loving towards people I serve.
  
  
• my youth group girls, (Caitlin, Chloe, Verity, Suzanna & Ellen) as they soon hit their HSC trials.
  
  
• understanding, insight and creativity to finish a 6 more studies for the OC Series.
  
  
• for wisdom and clarity with decision making re: NEXT YEAR.
  God willing I hope to be at college next year, which means at some point I should go get an application form. Also need to work out where to church if I do go to college (or even if I don't go to college I will need to work this out). What's best for my training? Should I take up the opportunities to see other ministries and church life? Should I stay at Matthias and continue on with the many opportunites here?
  

Romans...

How great is the word of God?
Fantastic... I say!

I have been reading through Romans lately and it's been a real treat...

...especially as we have been going through Galatians at Evening Church and Bible Study - each letter really compliments the other! I have found this particularly helpful in understanding law v spirit & slave v free!

Last night I read chapter 12 of Romans and ahhhh verse 12 is a winner! How true it is that the certainty of hope secured in Christ is reason enough for great joy! REJOICE brothers and sisters as we eagerly await the hope of righteousness!

May this part of Scripture be sweeter than honey to your mouth!

Prayer Update - March

It's been a fast start to the year...

I am finding this year just as ejoyable as last year, but there seems so much more to do and so much more expected from you!

I guess I don't have the excuse of settling in/ finding feet etc. So I am just expected to go about all I do and some more!

I am really excited about STREET TEAMS. Marty and I are organising community outreach for LIFE'S GOOD WEEK coming up in May. We have several dates for groups from Morning Church and Evening Church to go doorknocking to invite people to Life's Good, to proclaim Jesus and to promote St Matthias. Pray that many would sign up to help reach Paddington with the gospel.

PRAISE GOD for TAT. The women in my group this year are a joy! I have been so encouraged by their enthusiasim to grapple with the big issues and doctrine found in Genesis. It has been exciting to see these women try and hold Genesis and the rest of the bible & Christ altogether. I have really enjoyed the studies I have led these women in... WORK & REST and WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD... I did a short video/photoslide of images that contridict and support Louie Armstrong's lyrics and we tried to work out why this world has so many contrast of good and evil - joy and suffering.

PRAISE GOD for SCRIPTURE @ PADDO - this year as been dramatically better than last year. I think the hard work Doreen and I put into the lessons last year is reaping fruit this year. The children in our class seem so keen to uderstand what it means for JESUS to be the Son of God and interacting with the truths of the gospel. Pray that the seeds planted here would not be stolen, strangled or snatched by the evil one.

PRAISE GOD for SCRIPTURE @ ROSE BAY - The high school kids seem to love us much more this year. Discipline is far less a problem. The youth are more engaged, prepared to listen and think hard about the gospel. Today, I was able to clearly present the gospel using 2ways 2live (the first ever I have used it from begining to end with drawings) and my group of girls iteracted with the gospel. They asked all the 'right' questions. They wanted to know "what gives God the right to be so egotistical?" - one of the girls (not from Xn background) said 'well he is God isn't he, if he didn't demand our respect then he wouldn't be God, he created us so of
course he has the right"... "Will God really leave us dead in our sin?" perfect lead into box 4.

I have also given my testimony at these sessions and it has been really cool to see the youth keen to work out why I would choose to follow Jesus. It has been really rewarding to share with them how God has so graciously been at work in my life.

Drama is moving on well... lots of fun! We are having a Sunday School Social on this Friday and lots of the Drama kids are keen to come pray that they would come and build good relationships with the other church children.

ISCF @ Randwick Girls - please pray for this group. Not many have been coming or commited to the group on Friday lunchtimes. Lots of school things are on and distract girls from coming. Pray that the 30 or so girls that came through the doors last year would return.

YOUTH GIRLS - pray for these girls as they are in the middle of HSC half yearly exams. Pray that they would not stress out, that they would have good recall of all they have studied, that they would study diligently and that they would be reliant and dependant on the Lord in prayer during this busy and stressful time. Pray that Jesus would stay #1.